St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-03-24
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
STRIKES LOCAL CONTRACTORS.
NEr. Osborne Again Comes TO the
Front over those Contracts for
school Rouse ye,stiiut ton.

NEr. Osborne Again Comes TO the
Front over those Contracts for
school House Vcstiiuti0m.
To the Editor of the Globe.
In this mornings papers Maj Postlethwaite
makes some statements IN connection with the
ventilation of the school buildings, and also in
reference to myself, which 1 do not think will
bt ar invest cation.
l did not decline to furnish plans and specifica-
lions, but did ask to be further informed in rela
ton to the requirements of the board: this nfor-
nation the secretary, in his Official capacity, in
formed me over his signature would be furnished
me. But, without TINS further Information, L did
proceed tC make plans and specifications, and
they were completed and generally outlined to
Mr.. Postlethwalte. and an approximate price
therefore given hum, which would vary less than
per cent from the proposition which proposed
to submit to the board, had ever had an oppor-
tunity.
When it was learned that was better prepared
than any one else to submit plans and speciica-
tons for the construction of tins work. it was at
once decided to separate the ventilation from the
heating and rush the letting Of it through the
board. Moreover, Maj. Postlethwaite objects to
paying an engineer, who is in the business. from
$2u0 to $500 to furnish complete plans ana specih-
cations for the entire heating and ventllating, but
does not ooJec to paying from S2U0 to $500 for the
speclicat on for the heating alone. Moreover,
MIR. Miner does not hesitate to state in open board
that IS, 900 paid to outside parties to el
pertinent on the Franklin school. Now, submit
heating and ventilatins fraternity of this city
that results at least equal if not superior
to those obtained in the Franklin school,
would have been realized and there
would have been not less than 81, GU0
lett to be used for other purposes but these are
liner considerations, whether $4,000 or $1,000
or less or. in this latter case, from So 900
to $1,000 is left for other purposes, is of small
moment. What the taxpayers and citizens Of this
city are more interested in IS, that it is direct
blow and an official by school board to the
manufacturing, mechanical and Jobbing interests
of this city.
The school board 50! by their action that there
is one in this Northwest capable of heating and
ventilating our school buildings and this goes
forth TO the people OF the Northwest; and conse-
quent!y when neighboring cities want any
thing in this line, instead of coming to st. Paul
they go to Chicago, and pass by our own indus
tries. And this is done without even giving
own manufacturers an opportunity of showing to
the members of the school board in any respect.
whether or no anything could be offered them that
would be equal to superior to that which they
are purchaS ng.
Speaking for myself, never have known when
the real estate committee haa their meetings;
never have been before them in any sense and,
far as know the same remark is applicable to
the other heating and yentilatng engineers of this
city.
Finally submit whether il is for the best in
terest of this city to have its school board ignore
its citizens and purchase at price at least 81
per cent. above its marketable value that which is
open to public competition, especially when in so
doing they exceed the authority in them vested By
the organic act under which they exist
ST. Paul, March 23. f. +. OSBORNE.